The choice of film is highly personal, but here's my 2 cents worth. I prefer Fuji Velvia for macro and Provia for wide angle, especially for blue water shots. The new Velvia 100 ISO, when available here in Canuck land may end up as my film of choice. I have used what is here called Kodak Elite Extracolour, and Ektachrome EVS with some inconsistent results. Often, I have found the Kodak versions look harsh, and very "orangey", rendering non-crystalline blue water somewhat greener than I would prefer. In fact, I can now tell, without looking at my notes, which film I have used because of the 'look' of the slide.
However, if visibilty is excellent, I have had good results with both. For macro, I have found both to be too contrasty.
So, try to find lab that will include processing in the cost of your film, and the small difference in price makes buying the "pro" version of Fujichrome only a dollar or so more than the consumer version.
Hope that helps!

Marli Wakeling

www.marliwakeling.comDuct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. ~Carl Zwanzig

Thanks.
This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. We've used The same Velvia/Provia combination and are looking forward to the Velvia 100 in a couple weeks. Thanks for the "orange" tip. I think I'll stick with Fuji. BTW our price here in Maryland is $6.60 and less in quantity.
TedJ

Has it's been said, film choice is personal, but as you will appreciate choosing the right film for conditions will also apply. Kodaks new range of film are presently better than anything Fuji has, and I have used the V100 already. There are threads within this forum ecplaining film types and uses, so I won't rabit on with the same info.

My advice would be to experiment across the board, and not just take "It must be Velvia" Route (It wouldn't even touch on Kodachrome 25 quality), but this single minded Velvia approach is fine for clones.

Agfa @ $2.70 per roll is what I have shot most of the pics included on this site or EBX, which we Brits rave about presently. I shot the test rolls for Kodak UK on the E100G above and below the water and I can tell you without hesitation that Fuji has a lot of work to do.

EBX is Kodak Extracolor - Fantastic all purpose and low cost film, even for macro, should work well with the MMII.
Agfa produce a reasonable slide film with an even saturation.
E100G is good for everything. Call Kodak and get them to send you their spec. sheet on it.

I'm very sorry that I asked a simple question about whether anyone had used Kodak Elite Chrome film and how it might compare to Velvia.

I don't appreciate your condescending attitude and your reference to me as a clone. I see no necessity for you to insult me either directly or by insinuation.

Nor do I appreciate your implication that I shouldn't waste your time by asking without having searched for all sorts of information. I did that and found nothing about Kodak Elite Chrome, the subject of my specific question.

I guess there really is no room for those of us who are not professional photographers here on Wetpixel and that is sad.

Ted, I appologize if that's how it came across... It surely was not intended to be derogatory to you or anyone, being pro or am has nothing to do with it.

The intention was to steer film users away from the straightline thinking that has become somewhat of a norm amongst photographers in general. This is not just regarding film either.A Fuji stockist will want you to buy Fuji film, and Kodak the same.

If you are happy with the results from just using Fuji, as previously said, it's a personal thing and no-one is telling you to change, but you did ask the question about comparisons and this thread and the ones refered to above will offer that comparison, for you, yourself to consider and appraise. Difference of opinion is good, as it raises debate, but the only real way is to purchase a range of film and test it yourself in the varied conditions confronted UW.

Kodak & Fuji supply detailed information about their films in technical flyers and I'm sure they would be happy to supply them to you. Although, UW work will still require the aforementioned trial and error.

I shot a few rolls of E100GX - the warm balanced version of E100G in Grand Cayman over the last few weeks. I really liked it for available light stuff, but I am used to EBX for flashlit wide angle stuff and in general did not find GX was saturated enough for my tastes while diving. And since it costs more than twice as much as EBX at 7dayshop (UK) I think I will stick with EBX and use E100GX sparingly for available light shallow water pix.
That said my favourite shallow water available light setup is EBX and a 5 or 10CC Red filter on the back of the fisheye for warmth.
Alex

Having shot Provia, Velvia, 100VS & EBX extensively, I would definitely prefer shooting EBX. I've shot EBX in both cold northern Pacific waters here in British Columbia and warm tropical waters of the South Pacific. IMHO, EBX is the best general purpose film for underwater. If you're looking at packing 60 plus rolls of film on a dive trip, the resulting savings of about $3 per roll does tend to be significant... The extra punch you get from EBX (it's the same as 100VS, except it's the consumer version) helps with the colour loss shooting WA underwater and makes your strobe lit macro shots pop. If it's good enough for Nat. Geo photographer Bob Kirst...who am I to say other wise? ;-). But, it's a personal preference....I like how Kodak's formulation for 100VS & EBX is identical, except that 100VS is at it's "colour peak".

That said, I'm likely shooting film for the last time this November on a trip to the Philippines (Unless I sell my housing sooner) and will be housing my 10D in the new Subal C10 housing.

mmmmmmm i got mixed feelings on this one. I like Velvia, but Kodak VS100 aslo gives me great results. I shoot mainly on 2x macro and veliva does have dfficulties with that due to loss of F-stops when slotting a 2x tele-converter ( unless U got nuclear powered strobes and wanna fry the subject)

I am sticking to ISO 100 now, give memore versatility, and I get more keeper shots. With velvia (50) , a slight mis judgement on distance / apperture, and you get a nice slide to view Sun -Spots with.,

Shot a roll each of Elite Chrome Extra Color and the E100GX, film back in a couple of days.

However, B&H is out of the cheap imported version of the Elite Chrome Extra Color (at $2.99/roll) and I'm leaving on a trip in a couple of weeks. Does anyone know of another source for this film. Otherwise the GX is probably a better buy at $5.99/roll.